Cuba is running out of beer

Cuba is running out of beer

Cuba is suffering from a real crisis. No not the failing economy or the repressive communist regime – but a severe beer shortage. Bucanero, the island’s main brewery produces four different beer labels Bucanero Cristal, Cacique, Mayabe and suffered a sharp fall in production early in the year.

This came at the worst time – the third hottest summer since 1951. There are imported beers available but are sold with a high markup. According to island media, this reduced production was caused by delayed imports of malted barley from January through to April.

A Cuban interviewed by local TV spoke of his turmoil: ‘Now in the summer more than ever, you go to look for a cold beer at this moment when you needed it the most, and you can’t find any.’